Devendra Lal Medal Fosters Diversity and Inclusion in AGU Honors

A recently approved medal of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) aims to promote excellence in the Earth or space sciences in developing nations by recognizing outstanding research accomplishments in those countries. The medal also furthers AGU’s strategic objective of decreasing barriers to gender and ethnic diversity and inclusiveness in the organization’s honors program to increase participation of underrepresented groups.

By means of this new medal, AGU will strengthen its recognition and engagement in the international community.By means of this new medal, AGU will strengthen its recognition and engagement in the international community and establish a mechanism to support international collaboration, particularly by underrepresented groups. Recipients of this medal may be at any stage of their professional careers, but preference will be given to the recognition of early-career research accomplishments.

Obligation and Commitment

The Devendra Lal Medal not only aligns well with AGU’s vision and mission, it also addresses the organization’s obligation and strengthens its commitment to ensure a workplace climate for Earth and space scientists that is inclusive, respectful, and free from bias and discrimination. In a recently published From the Prow blog post, AGU President Margaret Leinen called out to AGU members to share ideas: How would they develop and improve areas and programs of AGU to increase diversity and inclusion among all AGU members and peers in the Earth and space science community, regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, cultural identity, disability, or socioeconomic status? The establishment of the Devendra Lal Medal strengthens this message and outreach.

Lal’s life and work continue to inspire and motivate new generations of Earth and space scientists.AGU extends its gratitude to a group of esteemed AGU members who worked closely with the Honors and Recognition Committee, in discussion with the AGU Board and Council, to establish this medal. It honors an innovative and highly acclaimed scientist, Professor Devendra Lal, whose life and work continue to inspire and motivate new generations of Earth and space scientists.

Nominations for the Devendra Lal Medal will open on 15 January 2017. AGU will recognize its first recipient in December 2017.

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